Several music icons have paid tribute to the late Dolly Parton, who died of cancer on Monday, including Billy Ray Cyrus.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Cyrus and Parton were close friends for decades. So much so that Parton became the godmother for Cyrus' daughter and second-generation music star, Miley Cyrus.
In the wake of Parton's death, Billy Ray Cyrus wrote an emotional tribute to the late Country Music Hall of Famer.
"I have so many moments and memories with Dolly. It's hard to know where to start. Like every little boy, I grew up loving Dolly Parton. She was a part of our lives, on our TVs, right in our living rooms."
Cyrus then dialed the clock back to the early 90s to share a loving memory of Parton.
"In 1992, I'll never forget walking into her dressing room to apologize for all the tabloid stories which claimed I was having an affair with her. In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked and said, 'Honey, this trash sells records!'"
Dolly Parton and Billy Ray Cyrus Were Former Touring Partners
Decades later, Cyrus added that the two remained close.
"Dolly recently sent me a beautiful message, telling me she loved me with her whole heart. I will always love her in the same way...with my whole heart...and I always will."
Cyrus and Parton toured together during the 90s, before Miley Cyrus was born. During their nationwide tours, the two music stars grew close.
Parton described their friendship on The Howard Stern Show, saying, "We just got to be good friends. He's a Kentucky boy, I'm from Tennessee. And he said, 'We're having a girl, and you've got to be her godmother!' And I said, 'Well, I'd be honored.' So actually, Miley and I took over from there. We just stayed very, very close through the years."
Parton died of cancer on Monday. She was 80.
DOLLY: A True Original Musical will open on Broadway this winter following a world premiere run in Nashville last year, producers have announced.
Bartlett Sher, who is set to direct, said that the musical will shed light on Parton's life and legacy.
DOLLY will open on Broadway on the late music icon's birthday, January 19, 2027.
